Dental plugger.



un. 715,447. Patentd nec. 9, |902.v

J. n. wxLKENs.

DENTAL PLUGGER.

(Application edNuv. 7, 1901.)

(lo Modal.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. VILKENS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR. TO THE DENTALPROTECTIVE SUPPLY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORA- TION OFILLINOIS.

DENTAL PLUGGER.

n SPEUIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 715,447, datedDecember 9, 1902.

Application filed November 7, 1901. Serial No. 81,376. (No model.)

To all wiz/077e it irl/Cty concern.:

Be it known that I, JOHN D.VILKENs,a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in theA county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Iniprovements in Dental Pluggers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of tools used by dental operatorscommonly known as pluggers. Tools of this character have heretoforecommonly been constructed of an outer cylindrical sheath or casing, aninner spindle extending into and longitudinally movable relatively tothe sheath or casing and adapted to receive the hammer proper, a springlocated within the casing and adapted to be either compressed ordistended by the longitudinal movement of the casing relatively to thespindle, and tripping mechanism whereby the stored energy of the springmay be suddenly and sharply imparted to the tool-holding spindle, theshock being thereby transmitted through the tool to the materialoperated upon.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved tool of this naturewhich shall be characterized by simplicity of construction, fineness ofoperating parts, reliability of operation, and ease of adjustment tovary the power of the spring which supplies the impact, and in which theparts may be separated and assembled for purposes of repair or renewalwith the greatest facility.

Another object of the invention is to provide a double-ended tool-thatis, one which is adapted to receive a packing or impacting instrument ateach end thereof-the tool being operated at one end thereof by means ofa push or thrust and at the other end by means of a pull.

With these objects in view my invention consists, primarily, in animproved hammertripping mechanism and spring-adjusting mechanism,substantially as hereinafter described, and defined in the claims.

My invention in its preferred form is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure l is an external View of the device as itappears with its parts assembled. Fig.

2 is a central longitudinal sectional View of the same, taken in a planeat right angles to the position of the device as shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3is a detail view of the spring-adjusting sleeve and its immediatelycoperating parts located at one end of the tool. Fig. et is a similardetail View of the sliding hamlmer and part of its tripping mechanism,and

Fig. 5 shows the central sliding spindle removed from the casing and inassociation therewith the parts at the opposite end of the tool whichcontain the returning-spring with l the mechanism for locking the casingagainst rotation on the spindle and permitting a sliding movementrelatively thereto.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 6 designates the central outerVcylindrical sheath or casingof the device, the same being provided nearthe center thereof with a small stop-screw 7, which passes through theshell of the casing and extends a short distance into the interiorthereof for a purpose that will hereinafter appear. This casing 6 isinter nally threaded for a short distance at each end thereof and at itsright-hand end, as shown in the drawings, receives the screwthreadedshank of an externally-tapered sleeve 8, constituting an element of theouter casing of the device. They opposite or lefthand end of the casing6 similarly receives a screw-threaded plug 9, against which abuts aninternally-threaded sleeve l0, the plug 9 and sleeve 10 alsoconstituting elements of the external casing of the tool, and the sleevel0, in cooperation with mechanism hereinafter described, affording themeans whereby the hammer-actuating spring is adjusted.

ll designates a straight spindle of uniform diameter extending coaXiallythrough the entire outer casing of the tool. This spindle is internallythreaded for a short distance at ICO 30 contact with the spindle 11.

,relative longitudinal in a slot extending longitudinally of the forwardbody portion of the hammer is a trigger 14, this latter having aforwardly and inwardly bent nose 14, projecting somewhat 5 in advance ofthe forward face of the hammer,

and a beveled or oblique rearward extension 14h, which lies within anannular recess 15, formed circumferentially in the body of the hammer,into which recess the lower end of 1o the stop-screw 7 also extends, asplainly shown in Fig. 2. A light leaf-spring 16, lying in and at therear of the slot in which the trigger 14 is pivoted, bears against theunder side of the rear end of the latter, thereby nor- 15 mally tendingto force inwardly the nose 14 of the trigger behind and in abuttingengagement with the base of the collar 13, as shown in Fig. 2.

In rear of the hammer 12 and pressing 2o against the same is located acoiled compression-spring 17, which latter by virtue of its inherentquality of compression and expansion stores and subsequently gives outto the hammerin impactform the power ofthe operator imparted through theforward or rearward nally-threaded end nipple 22, constituting the endelement of the external casing of the device. The sleeve 2O has alongitudinal slot 23 extending the entire lingth thereof, within whichslot is adapted to play an externally-threaded segment 24, constitutinga radial projection of the sleeve 19.

The foregoing construction, it will be observed, affords a simple andeffective means for adjusting the compression of the spring Thisadjustment, it will be observed, is determined by the longitudinal setof the sleeve 19 and its integral threaded segment 24 relatively to therotatable internally-threaded adjusting-sleeve 10. By reason of the fact5o that the outer surface of the sleeve 20 is smooth the rotation of thesurrounding sleeve 10 thereon obviously has no effect upon thedisposition of said sleeve, the rotation of said sleeve 10 beingdesigned to effect only the shifting of the inner sleeve 19 and theabutment-collar 18, connected therewith.

At the opposite end of the instrument and surrounding the spindle 11 isa small coiled 6o spring 25, the function of which is to automaticallyrestore the casing and the spindle to their proper relative positionsafter each blow of the hammer preparatory to the imparting of the nextsucceeding blow-in other 6; words, to automatically reset the trippermechanism to a position adapted to store the energy of the spring on thenext thrust or the sleeve 8 by its screw-threaded connection, theseparts being secured against rotation relatively to each other by ascrew-pin 28, which passes through them both in a direction at rightangles to their common axis, the inner end of this pin penetrating alongitudinal groove or slot 11, formed in the spindle 1l, whereby thesleeves 27, 8, and 9 and the casing 6 are kept from rotation on thespindle with freedom for longitudinal movement thereon.

It will be observed that the outer cylindrical casing 6 is in the formherein shown constructed in three connected sections, the intermediatesection being somewhat less in diameter than the two end sections, whichlatter are alike in respect to form and size. This construction providesa shoulder 6n at that end of the intermediate section lying just in rearof the trigger 14, which shoulder is designed to ride over the inclinedrear end 14b of the trigger, and for this purpose the engaging end ofthe said intermediate section of the casing is beveled or inclined tocorrespond with the inclined surface of the trigger, so as to provide acam action in riding over the latter which shall serve to depress therear end of the trigger through sliding contact therewithand with butslight friction thereon. Where the casing 6 is made in the form of asingle integral sleeve of uniform diameter throughout, its inner wallwill of course be provided with a suitable cam projection for thepurpose already described. The leaf-spring 16 keeps the inclined end ofthe trigger normally elevated in a position to be engaged and depressedby the shoulder 6L as the casing is moved to the right over the spindle.

The operation of my improved plugger will readily be understood from theforegoing description of its construction in connection with theillustration. Assuming that the device is to be used in connection witha forward movement or thrust thereof relatively to the tooth or otherobject operated upon, a suitable impact-tool (indicated at 29)\isinserted in the right-hand end of the spindle l1. As the blunt head ofthe tool 29 is pressed against the object to be impacted and the casing6 is pressed forward toward the tool 29 the spring 17is graduallycompressed owing to the fact that the abutment-collar 18 is carriedforward with the casing 6 owing to its union with the latter through theconnections already described, while the opposite or forward end of thespring is held stationary relatively to the spindle by its abutmentagainst the rear end of the hammer, the for- IOO IIO

of the spring to be imparted suddenly to the hammer 12, which latterstrikes a quick blow upon the collar 13, the force of which blow istransmitted through the spindle and the tool 29 to the object ormaterial operated upon. This advance movement of the casing 6 and itsconnected sleeves 8 and 27 eects a ,compression of the returning-spring25, so

that when the pressure or thrust upon the casing is intermitted thespring 25 at once reacts in a manner to again advance the spindlerelatively to the casing, thus restoring the parts to the relativepositions shown in Fig. 2, in which they are ready for the next forwardthrust on the part of the operator.

The manner in which the spring 17 maybe adjusted for the purpose ofregulating the force of the blow will be apparent from the descriptionalready given. This adjustment is determined by the relative set givento the sleeves 10 and 19 through the threaded segment 24. When the partsare in operative position, the sleeve l0 is always in close engagementwith the abutting end of the block 9, being held thus by means of thenipple 22, which has also the function of a lock-nut, screwing over thethreaded extremity 2l of the sleeve 20, which latter is integral with orrigidly secured to the block 9. When the compression of the spring 17 isto be increased,

so as to increase the force of the blow administered thereby, the sleeve10 is rotated between the block 9 and the nipple 22 in a direction tocarry the segment 24, and consoquently the abutment-collar 18, inwardlyof the casing. When the compressionof spring 17 is to be decreased, soas to diminish the force of the blow,- the sleeve 10 is simply turned inthe opposite direction, thus moving the abutment-collar 18 outwardly ofthe casing.

The set-pin 7, lying within the annular groove or recess 15 of thehammer, serves to limit the longitudinal travel of the latter relativelyto the casing, and by limiting the extent of forward movement ot' thehammer relatively to the casing under all adjustments of the spring 17renders certain the action of the spring 25 after a blow has been struckin carrying forward the spindle through a sufiicient extent to insurethe interlocking engagement of the trigger 14 and collar 13.

It will be observed that the hammer 12 is free to turn on itslongitudinal axis relatively to the spindle l1, whereby the nose of thetrigger may engage the collar at diderent points on the periphery of thebase of the latter, thus preventing the wear of the parts that wouldresult were the hammer and the collar non-rotatably fixed relatively toeach other, and consequently increasing the life of the trippingmechanism. The same is true of the coacting cam-faces 6n and 14".

It will be evident that my improved plugger is capable of use inconnection with a tool applied at either end thereof. Where theimpacting of the material can most conveniently be effected by a push orthrust on the part of the operator,an impacting-tool of the generalcharacter indicated at 29 will be employed in the right-hand end of theinstrument, as shown in the drawings; but where this impacting of thefilling material can best be accomplished by a pull of the operatoroutwardly relatively to the tooth being operated upon a bent or hookedimpact-tool of the general character indicated at 30 in the left-handend of the instrument, as shown in the drawings, will be used. Such anoperation of the instrument is frequently found kconvenient in iillingthe sides and undercut portions of dental cavities. By supplying theinstrument with an impact-tool of each variety at its respective endsthe operator need only turn the tool about when desirous of replacingthe use of one tool by the use of another.

* From the foregoingit will be seen that my invention provides animproved tool of the class described characterized by the possession etasensitive quick-actin g tripping mechanism adapted to give asharp,.clearlyde lined, and distinct blow to the spindle in combinationwith a delicate and line adjustment of the power-spring, which may beeffected by the simple turning of an adjusting-sleeve, which latterconstitutes an element of the external casing of the tool and istherefore manipulated with the greatest facility.

It will be evident that changes and modifications of the specificstructure of the trippingand adjusting mechanisms hereinabove described,and illustrated in the drawings, might be made without departing fromthe spiritand principle of my invention. For instance, as a mechanicalequivalent the trigger might be pivoted on the iixed collar and abut thehammer instead of the relative arrangement of said parts as shown, orother and equivalent means might be employed for locking the adjmeting-sleeve 10 in endwise abutting engagement with the block 9. I donot, therefore, limit the scope of my invention to the precise form,construction, and arrangement of elements herein shown and described,except to the extent that the latter may be made the subject of specificclaims.

l claim-Y 1. In a dental plugger,the combination with a spindle and anouter casing longitudinally slidable thereover,of a hammerlongitudinally movable on the spindle, a power-spring for actuating thehammer, a fixed projection on the spindle adapted to be struck by thehammer,

IIO

a pivoted trigger on the hammer adapted to overhang one end of thelatter and abut said fixed projection, and a trigger-releasing devicecarried by and movable with the casing, substantially as described.

2. In a dental plugger,tl1e combination with a spindle and an outercasing longitudinally slidable thereover, of a hammer longitudinallymovable on the spindle, apoWer-spring for actuating the hammer', a xedcollar on the spindle adapted to be struck by the hammer, a trigger'pivoted on the hammer longitudinally thereof and having an overhangingnose adapted to abut the contiguous face of the collar, means normallytending to maintain the engagement of the trigger with the collar, and acam-shoulder carried by the casing and adapted to engage and depress theopposite end of the trigger to raise the nose of the latter out ofengagement With said collar, substantially as described.

3. In adentalplugger,the combination with a spindle and an outer casinglongitudinally slidable thereover, of a hammer longitudinally movable onthe spindle, automatic tripping mechanism for releasing said hammer, apower-spring engaging and actuating the hammer, a longitudinally-movableabutment for said power-spring, and a rotatable sleeve forming a sectionof the external casing and effecting the longitudinal adjustment of theabutment-collar by its rotation, substantially as described.

4. In a dental plugger,the combination with a spindle and an outercasing longitudinally slidable thereover, of a hammer longitudinallymovable on the spindle, automatic tripping mechanism for releasing saidhammer, a power-spring engaging and actuating the 4o hammer, anabutment-collar for said powerspring provided with alongitudinally-slidable sleeve extension surrounding the spindle, anexternally-threaded segment on said sleeve extension, and aninternally-threaded adjusting-sleeve engaging said threaded segment andby its rotation effecting the longitudinal travel of the latter and theabutmentcollar, substantially as described.

5. In a dental plugger,the combination wi th an outer casing and aspindle extending coaxially therethrough over which the casing hasalimited sliding movement, of a hammer longitudinally movable on thespindle, automatic tripping mechanism for releasing said hammer on theforward travel of the casing relatively to the spindle, a power-springengaging the rear end of the hammer, an abutment-collar for saidpower-spring provided with a longitudinally-slidable sleeve extensionsurrounding` the spindle, an externallythreaded segment on the outer endof said sleeve extension, an end block closing the rear end of thecasing, said block having a longitudinally-slotted sleeve extensionsurrounding the sleeve extension of the abutment-collar andaccommodating the travel of the threaded segment through itslongitudinal slot and further provided with a screwthreaded end, aninternally-threaded adjusting-sleeve surrounding the extension-sleeve ofthe end block and abutting the latter endwise, and a locknut engagingthe screwthreaded extremity of said last-named extension-sleeve andconfining the adjusting-sleeve between itself and the end block,substantially as described.

JOI-IN D. WILKENS.

W'itnesses:

' SAMUEL N. POND,

FREDERICK '0. GOODWIN.

